Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Lew on April 13, 2010, 03:57:31 PM

Title: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on April 13, 2010, 03:57:31 PM
I might be going mad but I think I remember seeing a Bigsby that was a drop in replacement without modification for Gibson bridges?

I've nearly finished pimping the Gibson Explorer I got recently. I've steel-wooled the neck, fitted BKP, gutted the electrics, straplocks etc... and think it needs a Bigsby to finish it off!  8)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: AJM on April 13, 2010, 04:37:32 PM
Two options there

http://www.zzguitarworks.com/

http://www.vibramate.com/

Both get pretty good reviews. Vibramate can actually be ordered through Grestch, so I think they might be a bit more established, but I haven't seen anything bad about zzguitarworks either. I'm planning on doing the same thing to my SG, let me know how it goes if you get it done.
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Philly Q on April 13, 2010, 04:41:51 PM
You can find the Vibramate relatively cheap on eBay as well - I got one direct from Gretsch, no complaints about the delivery time or anything but shipping was really expensive and I ended up paying VAT on it too.
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on April 13, 2010, 04:44:55 PM
Ah, nice one! I'll look for one on ebay then - mind me asking how much you paid Philly?
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Philly Q on April 13, 2010, 05:28:19 PM
Can't remember - I'll check when I get home.  :)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Crazy_Joe on April 13, 2010, 05:39:46 PM
I think it would look really nice with a bigsby.
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: dobbins on April 13, 2010, 08:28:16 PM
Would look cool, certainly a lot better than...

http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v7v-install.php (http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v7v-install.php)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Philly Q on April 13, 2010, 08:51:52 PM
Would look cool, certainly a lot better than...

http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v7v-install.php (http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v7v-install.php)

I always thought a Bigsby looked pretty cool on a V.

(http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages/lonniemack.JPG)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Philly Q on April 13, 2010, 09:02:41 PM
Oh, the cost of the Vibramate from Gretsch:

It was $59.95 plus $19.20 shipping, then I had to pay about £15 in VAT/admin fees.  So all in all it was about £65.  :(


You can definitely get them cheaper on eBay, and if you're lucky the seller will understate the Customs declaration (not that I would advocate such behaviour  :| ).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-VIBRAMATE-V5-Quick-Mount-kit-for-Bigsby-B5_W0QQitemZ270554208491QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item3efe4998eb#ht_608wt_732 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-VIBRAMATE-V5-Quick-Mount-kit-for-Bigsby-B5_W0QQitemZ270554208491QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item3efe4998eb#ht_608wt_732)

Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on April 13, 2010, 09:32:34 PM
That's not too bad - about 40 quid inc. shipping. I might get one and wait until a used B5 turns up. The Flying Vee one looks teribad.
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Jonny on April 14, 2010, 12:38:10 AM
I love that Bigsby Flying V!

If I had gwEm's number I'd be on the phone right now! It's awesome but Bigsbys are awesome as a whole.
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: LazyNinja on April 14, 2010, 12:50:13 AM
wow Bigsby on V looks weird but cool in a way. I'd love a Bigsby equipped guitar some day always fancied one. Quite fancy one on my Sheraton actually.
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: dobbins on April 14, 2010, 03:20:30 PM
much better...

http://www.bigsbyguitars.com/vibe/?page_id=364 (http://www.bigsbyguitars.com/vibe/?page_id=364)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on May 01, 2010, 01:51:11 AM
Just got round to buying a B5 and Vibramate off eBay for the Explorer :D
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Andrew W on May 01, 2010, 09:02:41 AM
Would look cool, certainly a lot better than...

http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v7v-install.php (http://www.vibramate.com/vibramate-v7v-install.php)

I always thought a Bigsby looked pretty cool on a V.

(http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages/lonniemack.JPG)
Lonnie Mack makes everything look cool.  I can't believe anyone could listen to the start of "Cincinnati Jail" on "Attack of the Killer V" and then say that they wouldn't want a V with a Bigsby.  It sounds amazing.
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Brow on May 01, 2010, 09:18:34 AM
Ricky Medlocke from Lynyrd Skynyrd sometimes uses a Korina Explorer with a Bigsby style trem on it and I always liked the look of it

http://www.detroitmusicnotes.com/Skynyrd%20Photos/images/Medlocke4%20-%20Copy_jpg.jpg
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Philly Q on May 01, 2010, 09:26:30 AM
Ricky Medlocke from Lynyrd Skynyrd sometimes uses a Korina Explorer with a Bigsby style trem on it and I always liked the look of it

http://www.detroitmusicnotes.com/Skynyrd%20Photos/images/Medlocke4%20-%20Copy_jpg.jpg

Back in the Blackfoot days he had a couple of Ibanez Explorers (or Destroyers? not sure if they were using that name then) with Maestros.  Looks like he's upgraded to a Gibson (or maybe got the Ibanez headstock refinished!)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on May 02, 2010, 12:08:16 PM
Wonder if I should get some roller saddles or graphtech thingies for the stopbar?
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Philly Q on May 02, 2010, 12:13:07 PM
I bought one of these Schaller roller bridges.  It doesn't look vintage but it's very nicely made (.....haven't fitted it yet of course). 

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_Tune-o-matic_bridges/Schaller_Roller_Bridge.html (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_Tune-o-matic_bridges/Schaller_Roller_Bridge.html)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on May 02, 2010, 12:18:58 PM
Want to sell it?  :P
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Philly Q on May 02, 2010, 01:45:00 PM
No thanks, I'd have to sell the Vibramate and the B5 then as well. 

I seem to spend my life losing money on guitar stuff, but it's not intentional.   :P
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: d1dsj on May 02, 2010, 04:31:50 PM
I seem to spend my life losing money on guitar stuff, but it's not intentional.   :P

I know that feeling oh so well!  :(

Lew, can't wait to see the pics... can't get my head around this combination!
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on May 02, 2010, 06:18:30 PM
If it looks half as cool as this I'm going to be a happy bunny.  

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/swlabr/skinner4.jpg)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: d1dsj on May 02, 2010, 07:31:41 PM
Hell yeah!  8)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on May 02, 2010, 07:34:50 PM
That looks off the chain!
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on May 11, 2010, 01:00:42 AM
(http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3479/p5100001.jpg)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Philly Q on May 11, 2010, 08:09:44 AM
It looks great, but Lew, Lew, Lew, lose the knobs!  :x :P

Does it work well?
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: d1dsj on May 11, 2010, 09:36:40 AM
It looks great, but Lew, Lew, Lew, lose the knobs!  :x :P

Does it work well?

+1. Sorry Lew, it looks GREAT apart from those knobs... are they pink? Is that my old neck pick up in there?
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: HTH AMPS on May 11, 2010, 11:51:27 AM
as above, the pink knobs are a no-no  :(

btw, where are you lot getting these pin-up girl stickers/transfers from? - I'd like one for my Tele (preferably a transfer).
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: AndyR on May 11, 2010, 01:07:12 PM
Agh! can't see pic at work...

Pink knobs on an Explorer?!!!
Girls?

What is it you guys can see? :lol:
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Philly Q on May 11, 2010, 01:10:22 PM
Agh! can't see pic at work...

Pink knobs on an Explorer?!!!
Girls?

What is it you guys can see? :lol:

Patience is a virtue Andrew.
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: AndyR on May 11, 2010, 01:12:15 PM
:lol:

But I need some sort of light relief from my toils (and the bluddy sandwich shop had run out of my usual, and second choice, for the second day running...)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on May 11, 2010, 02:09:25 PM
It looks great, but Lew, Lew, Lew, lose the knobs!  :x :P

Does it work well?

Good question, no one told me stringing a Bigsby was more annoying than JedWard. I used a capo to keep tension.

All of the strings work perfectly well, except the damn A string. I don't know whats gone on with it- it will not intonate for love or money and has a dead muted tone. I'm hoping that I was either too rough on it when installing it and unravalled it a bit at ball end or it's a one off dead string (likely?).

It looks great, but Lew, Lew, Lew, lose the knobs!  :x :P

Does it work well?

+1. Sorry Lew, it looks GREAT apart from those knobs... are they pink? Is that my old neck pick up in there?

Yep, sounds really good, perhaps a little dark. I've got a mod for it on the furthest tone pot that's basically a coiltap but you can blend and choose how much you want tapped.

There's a Miracle Man in the bridge, huge kudos to Feline - I sent him a pm literally saying 'get me the right bkp for this guitar', and he did. It's perfect for the guitar and the vht. The mids are really pronounced but in a really smooth way. Prob my fav bkp so far.

as above, the pink knobs are a no-no  :(

btw, where are you lot getting these pin-up girl stickers/transfers from? - I'd like one for my Tele (preferably a transfer).

I use these guys, Ian http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/rockartiststudios good quality stuff and super fast delivery.

I should have got green bobbins so the pink didn't stand out so much :p It needs some light relicing too - not sure I want to attempt that, though.

EDIT: New A string and all is well! 8)
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: AndyR on May 12, 2010, 08:08:05 PM
Finally seen the pic...

Gulp!

Fantastic looking geetar (just like mine :lol:)

Bigsby looks good on it, but it's not quite the look for me... but that might get over-ridden by need for a trem, I seem to be getting used to using one - I just refloated the bridge on my Roadworn last night, now I've got 3 guitars with working trems... and the way the Explorer feels in my arms just seems to cry out for a little handle to crank :lol:

The girl is cute as well, but I can't quite see it on an Explorer myself. Having said that, I do sometimes look at the scratchplate on mine and think - that is an awful lot of, er, well "white"... I've actually wondered about getting a black-white-black-white-black sandwich scratchplate made for it...

But those knobs... JEEZ... what were you thinking man?!!?!

Please tell us they were just a joke for the picture to post on here... :lol:
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: Lew on May 13, 2010, 01:01:12 AM
Pics of the Explorer, Andy! :D

Pffffffft these knobs are serious business, they go to 11!!
Title: Re: Bigsby on an Explorer
Post by: CaptainDesslock on May 13, 2010, 05:01:29 AM
Just got round to buying a B5 and Vibramate off eBay for the Explorer :D

no matter which way you put it, purchasing a vibramate just sounds dirty......